Buildings generate approximately 40% of global emissions. In order to meet the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit above pre-industrial levels, we must make substantial changes to the way we design, build, and manage our built environment. We investigated the current impacts and opportunities that the design and development of the built environment has on climate change, and vice versa. Additionally, we will explore 1) key solutions to addressing the current challenges, 2) how to reduce our resource demand on the construction of buildings, leverage the use of network technologies to create smarter buildings, and deploy more responsive solutions to make buildings more energy efficient, 3) the role of industry, government, tech, academia, and government in developing new environments that are aligned with creating healthier and more sustainable buildings. With Irena Badelska, Senior Executive at Measurabl; Edward Dixon, Head of ESG, Real Assets at Aviva Investors; Juliette Morgan, Head of Sustainable Development at The British Land Trust; Alexandra Bolton, Executive Director at the Centre for Digital Built Britain; and The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management.

Speaker Bios:

Irena Badelska is a Senior Executive at the ESG SaaS platform Measurabl and is responsible for the Business Development growth in the EMEA region. She has over 15 years of business development, fundraising and investment experience. Irena is strongly committed to the fulfilment of the UN SDGs through ESG, digital transformation and Tech for Good by addressing real life, human-centric challenges. She is a commercial translator with a hands-on approach, creating a viable bridge between data analytics, sustainability, and strategic business value. Irena is a Board Member of AWAR and has spent over 15 years in the financial services industry, most recently as a Commercial Officer and a Senior Vice President at investment management firm Amedeo (2013-2019), and as a Partner in the origination and structuring team at asset manager, Doric Asset Finance (2008-2013). Irena has worked in the Corporate Finance and Investment Banking divisions of leading global financial institutions between 2004 and 2008.

Edward Dixon is the Head of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) for Aviva Investors’ £52bn Real Assets platform, leading the firm’s ESG strategy across real estate and infrastructure investment, development and asset management. Ed has 18 years’ industry experience, and most recently held the role of Sustainability Insights Director at Landsec, joining the business in January 2016 to lead integration of the company’s sustainability strategy through strategy, research and governance functions. Ed is a recent graduate of the Sustainability Leadership course at Harvard in Boston, USA. He holds an Executive MBA with Distinction from Cass, one of the UK’s highest-ranking business schools.

Juliette Morgan is responsible for sustainability across British Lands’ 4.5m sq ft development pipeline, standing assets and refurbishment schemes. She has a specialist interest in low carbon construction materials and reducing embodied carbon. Her studies in this field include a CISL course in Sustainability Leadership (University of Cambridge) and Bamboo U alumnus – building with bamboo. She has led British Land’s move towards timber construction in CLT (cross laminated timber). Prior to this she asset managed 2m sq ft at Regent’s Place (£2bn) repositioning the asset with a central focus on sustainability and long-term stewardship. Previous experience is in the US on $800m development schemes in technology districts and has a background in consulting to government and developers in real estate for technology companies.

Alexandra Bolton has been CDBB’s Executive Director since the Centre came to Cambridge in August 2017. She works across CDBB’s programmes, including the National Digital Twin programme and the Construction Innovation Hub, to advance the digital transformation of the built environment in order to improve people’s quality of life through improving social, economic and environmental outcomes. Alexandra has had a varied career, having worked in industry and the City before joining the University of Cambridge in 2014.

Peter Brogan is Head of Research and Insight at The Institute for Workplace Facilities Management (IWFM) where he manages the research, insight and information that positions IWFM as the voice of workplace and facilities management. He manages the delivery and development of the Institute’s research and insight activities. An influential Research specialist with unique experience and a sustained record of success in both the public and private sectors. Extensive background in diverse service organisations, managing complex research projects from inception to completion.

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